I declare today to be Vanden Plas day. (Maybe Abydos will be added later if the playlist runs out, but apparently I have just under 6 hours of Vanden Plas).
We had lots of beetroot left in the fridge, so I tried to deal with it all the other day. Most of it I made into my favourite 'pickled beetroot', but I also tried making some 'beetroot wedges', which came out nicely.
Pickled Beetroot
Wash, trim and peel beets. Small ones I leave whole, and larger ones I cut into halves or quarters to make them a similar size.
Put prepared beets into a pan and add enough liquid to cover them, where liquid is about half and half water and vinegar. I've been using apple cider vinegar, but spirit/white vinegar would work. I'd try malt vinegar if I was in the UK, but it is a 'luxury' item here.
Bring to the boil, then leave to simmer for 30-40 minutes, until the beets feel slightly soft when you poke them with a knife or fork. Turn off the heat and leave them in the liquid in the pan to cool.
When cool, transfer into a jar, and refrigerate. I'd leave them at least overnight before eating.
(Edited to add: I like mine very vinegary, so you might want to reduce the proportion of vinegar, depending on your taste.)
Beetroot Wedges
Wash, trim and peel beets. Cut into wedges - eigths of a medium beet worked for me - save the smaller beets for pickling.
Heat oven to 400°F/200°C. Put the wedges on a baking tray or roasting pan and cover with plenty of mild olive oil or whatever vegetable oil you like to use for roasting. Mix them up to make sure they are coated. (I don't like getting my fingers oily, but it is necessary). Sprinkle with a little salt. I like to stand them up so the point of the wedge points upwards, but I'm not sure how much difference that makes.
Roast in the oven for about 40 minutes (I think, I didn't really keep track). They are done when the sharp corners start to look slightly charred or crispy.
Empty onto a plate with paper towel to drain, and sprinkle with some more salt to taste. Snack.
Pickled Beetroot
Wash, trim and peel beets. Small ones I leave whole, and larger ones I cut into halves or quarters to make them a similar size.
Put prepared beets into a pan and add enough liquid to cover them, where liquid is about half and half water and vinegar. I've been using apple cider vinegar, but spirit/white vinegar would work. I'd try malt vinegar if I was in the UK, but it is a 'luxury' item here.
Bring to the boil, then leave to simmer for 30-40 minutes, until the beets feel slightly soft when you poke them with a knife or fork. Turn off the heat and leave them in the liquid in the pan to cool.
When cool, transfer into a jar, and refrigerate. I'd leave them at least overnight before eating.
(Edited to add: I like mine very vinegary, so you might want to reduce the proportion of vinegar, depending on your taste.)
Beetroot Wedges
Wash, trim and peel beets. Cut into wedges - eigths of a medium beet worked for me - save the smaller beets for pickling.
Heat oven to 400°F/200°C. Put the wedges on a baking tray or roasting pan and cover with plenty of mild olive oil or whatever vegetable oil you like to use for roasting. Mix them up to make sure they are coated. (I don't like getting my fingers oily, but it is necessary). Sprinkle with a little salt. I like to stand them up so the point of the wedge points upwards, but I'm not sure how much difference that makes.
Roast in the oven for about 40 minutes (I think, I didn't really keep track). They are done when the sharp corners start to look slightly charred or crispy.
Empty onto a plate with paper towel to drain, and sprinkle with some more salt to taste. Snack.
Better late than never
January
Some major events took place -![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
theora and I decided to move to the USA, and so put my flat up for sale and started the Visa application process. At the same time I handed in my notice at my long-term employer, to take another job in London.
February
I celebrated the big 0x1E with some beer and friends. I also switched web host, and job
March
This was a musical month - we saw Evergrey, but the main event was the first ProgPower UK. There was also a little socializing.
April
We had a couple of trips, visiting the Peak District with my family, and Norwich (1) (2) to learn about the land of my birth.
May
I was strangely impressed initially by Google Web Toolkit. We visited Tintern for our anniversary. The first stage of my visa process was approved.
June
We had to admit defeat with the first people who had made an offer on the flat, but soon got another offer. I took part in the crazy Rails Day, but didn't win anything. There was another minor stage in my visa process.
Part 2 later. Not months later, I hope.
January
Some major events took place -
theora and I decided to move to the USA, and so put my flat up for sale and started the Visa application process. At the same time I handed in my notice at my long-term employer, to take another job in London.February
I celebrated the big 0x1E with some beer and friends. I also switched web host, and job
March
This was a musical month - we saw Evergrey, but the main event was the first ProgPower UK. There was also a little socializing.
April
We had a couple of trips, visiting the Peak District with my family, and Norwich (1) (2) to learn about the land of my birth.
May
I was strangely impressed initially by Google Web Toolkit. We visited Tintern for our anniversary. The first stage of my visa process was approved.
June
We had to admit defeat with the first people who had made an offer on the flat, but soon got another offer. I took part in the crazy Rails Day, but didn't win anything. There was another minor stage in my visa process.
Part 2 later. Not months later, I hope.
Yay, I have a state ID. The main purpose will be to allow me to buy booze without showing my passport ;-)
Back to part 1
July
I snuck in some Rails at work, which I was quite pleased with. Then we went on a memorable holiday in Scotland (0) (1) (2) (3).
August
We did the Great British Beer thing, and also the Pembury Tavern for the first time. Our flat sale ran into problems.
September
theora went back to Boston, soon to be followed by lots of our possessions. I went to the first RailsConf Europe.
October
A slow month in many ways. But I got some cheering up.
November
There was Opeth, but I started reverting back to wandering around on my own and obsessing about wargames.
December
At last some good news which made me homeless. Andtheora came back for Christmas.
July
I snuck in some Rails at work, which I was quite pleased with. Then we went on a memorable holiday in Scotland (0) (1) (2) (3).
August
We did the Great British Beer thing, and also the Pembury Tavern for the first time. Our flat sale ran into problems.
September
theora went back to Boston, soon to be followed by lots of our possessions. I went to the first RailsConf Europe.October
A slow month in many ways. But I got some cheering up.
November
There was Opeth, but I started reverting back to wandering around on my own and obsessing about wargames.
December
At last some good news which made me homeless. And
theora came back for Christmas.